Big Blue Bus is the public bus system operated by the City of Santa Monica, serving Santa Monica and the greater Westside region of Los Angeles County. It has run since April 14, 1928, operates independently from Los Angeles Metro, and connects with Metro Bus and Metro Rail services. The system includes regular, rapid, express, and circulator service, with 18 bus lines and a long-running role in local transport across the Westside.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Operator | City of Santa Monica |
| Service area | Santa Monica and the greater Westside region of Los Angeles County, California |
| Starting time in service history | April 14, 1928 |
| System size | 18 bus lines, including regular, rapid, and circulator service |
| Ridership | 10,100,208 total riders in 2025, with average weekday ridership of 32,772 |
| Connections | Connects with Metro Bus and Metro Rail services |
| Fleet goal | Working toward full zero-emissions operation by 2030 |
Big Blue Bus Map
Big Blue Bus map shows all available stops. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Big Blue Bus map in PDF format.
Routes
Big Blue Bus runs 18 bus lines: 12 regular routes, 2 rapid routes, and 1 circulator route. On weekends and holidays with weekend service, the network is smaller, with 10 bus lines: 9 regular routes and 1 rapid route.
The agency completed a Comprehensive Operational Analysis in 2024 to shape route changes over the next five years. The route plan focuses on better links with future Metro Rail extensions, especially the D and K lines, stronger frequency where demand supports it, new travel patterns, and the shift toward a zero-emissions fleet.
Local routes
Local routes cover Santa Monica, UCLA, Westwood, Venice, Brentwood, Culver City, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, and nearby Westside destinations. Use the stations map, stations list, system map, or route timetable before riding, because temporary stop closures and detours can affect the path train-style trip plan for bus connections.
| Route | Terminals | Via | Days of operation | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westwood UCLA to Venice Grand Bl & Riviera Av | Santa Monica Bl, Main St | Daily | Operates alongside LA Metro 4 and serves Downtown Santa Monica station. |
| 2 | Westwood UCLA to Santa Monica Main St & Olympic Dr | Wilshire Bl | Daily | Operates alongside LA Metro 20 and LA Metro Rapid 720; serves Downtown Santa Monica station. |
| 3 | Santa Monica Arizona Av & 5th St to Westchester LAX/Metro Transit Center | Lincoln Bl | Daily | Serves LAX/Metro Transit Center, Loyola Marymount University, and Downtown Santa Monica station. |
| 5 | Santa Monica College to Palms station | Olympic Bl, Motor Av | Weekdays | Operates hourly and serves 17th Street/SMC station, 26th Street/Bergamot station, Expo/Bundy station, and Westfield Century City. |
| 7 | Santa Monica 7th St & Olympic Bl to Mid-Wilshire Wilshire/Western station | Pico Bl | Daily | Serves Santa Monica College, Expo/Sepulveda station, and Rimpau Transit Center. |
| 8 | Santa Monica 7th St & Olympic Bl to Westwood UCLA | Ocean Park Bl | Daily | Serves Westwood/Rancho Park. |
| 9 | Pacific Palisades Sunset Bl & Marquez Av to Santa Monica Main St & Olympic Dr | Sunset Bl, Chatauqua Bl, 4th St | Daily | Connects Pacific Palisades with Santa Monica. |
| 14 | Brentwood Bringham Av & Gorham Av to Culver City Mall Culver City Transit Center | Bundy Dr, Centinela Av | Daily | Select trips extend from Brentwood north to Paul Revere Middle School; serves Expo/Bundy station, Santa Monica College Bundy Campus, and Culver City Transit Center. |
| 15 | Brentwood Barrington Pl & Chayote St to West LA Expo/Bundy station | Barrington Av | Weekdays | Weekday West LA connection. |
| 16 | Playa del Rey Culver Bl & Vista Del Mar to West LA Saltair Av & Wilshire Bl | Walgrove Av, 23rd St, 20th St | Weekdays | Serves 26th Street/Bergamot station and Loyola Marymount University. |
| 17 | Westwood UCLA Macgowan Hall to Culver City station | Sawtelle Bl, Palms Bl | Daily | Serves Expo/Sepulveda station and Palms station. |
| 18 | Westwood UCLA Gateway Plaza to Marina del Rey Via Marina & Admiralty Wy | Montana Av, 4th St | Daily | Serves Downtown Santa Monica station. |
| 41 | Santa Monica College loop | 14th St, 20th St | Weekdays | Clockwise loop; terminates at 14th St & Pico Bl and serves 17th Street/SMC station. |
| 43 | Santa Monica College to Santa Monica Main St and Olympic Dr | 26th St, San Vicente Bl, 4th St | Weekdays, peak hours | Select eastbound trips serve Paul Revere Middle School; also serves 26th Street/Bergamot station. |
| 44 | 17th Street/SMC station to Santa Monica College Bundy Campus | Bundy Dr, Ocean Park Bl, 17th St | SMC school days | Connects 17th Street/Santa Monica College station, Santa Monica College Main Campus, and Santa Monica College Bundy Campus; limited service when SMC is not in session. |
Rapid & Express routes
Rapid and Express routes serve selected high-demand corridors. They are useful when your route plan includes Downtown Los Angeles, UCLA, Culver City, Pacific Palisades, or school-day service.
| Route | Terminals | Via | Days of operation | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express 9 | Pacific Palisades Sunset Bl & Marquez Av to Santa Monica 4th & Colorado | Pacific Coast Highway | School days | Runs to and from Palisades Charter High School; service was restored on January 27, 2026 after an early 2025 suspension. |
| Rapid 10 | Santa Monica Broadway & 5th St to Downtown LA Main St & Alameda St | Santa Monica Bl, Bundy Dr, I-10, Grand Av, Olive St, Figueroa St, Flower St, Temple St | Weekday peak hours | Runs toward Downtown LA in the morning rush and toward Downtown Santa Monica in the evening; serves Expo/Bundy station and Los Angeles Union Station. |
| Rapid 12 | Westwood UCLA Gateway Plaza to Culver City Overland Av & Venice Bl | Westwood Bl, Overland Av | Daily | Serves Westwood/Rancho Park station. |
Schedules
Big Blue Bus schedules are organized by route, day of service, and direction. For accurate timings today, check the current route timetable before you travel, since service alerts can include delays, detours, route changes, and stop changes.
Most Big Blue Bus routes operate between 5:00 a.m. and midnight, but opening hours, working hours, closing time, last train-style last bus timing, and frequency vary by line. Real-time arrival information is available through the Transit app, and customers can also get arrival times by text or phone using a 4-digit Stop ID.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| General operating hours | Most routes operate between 5:00 a.m. and midnight. |
| Real-time schedule today | Departure and arrival times are updated in real time through the app. |
| Weekday network | 18 bus lines operate across regular, rapid, and circulator service. |
| Weekend and holiday network | 10 bus lines operate on weekends and holidays with weekend service. |
| Holiday schedule | Sunday schedules operate on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. |
The current system schedule includes Route 1 Main St & Santa Monica Blvd, Route 2 Wilshire Blvd, Route 3 Lincoln Blvd, Route 5 Olympic Blvd, Route 7 Pico Blvd, Route 8 Ocean Park Blvd, Route 9 Pacific Palisades, Rapid 10 Downtown LA Freeway Express, Rapid 12 UCLA/Westwood to Expo Rapid, Route 14 Bundy Dr & Centinela Ave, Route 15 Barrington Ave, Route 16 Wilshire Blvd/Bundy Dr to Playa del Rey, Route 17 UCLA to VA Medical Center to Palms, Route 18 UCLA to Abbot Kinney to Marina del Rey, Route 41 SMC to 17th St Station to Montana Ave, Route 43 San Vicente Blvd & 26th St, and Route 44 SMC Campus Connector.
Weekend and Holiday Schedules
Big Blue Bus operates seven days a week, with service also available on holidays. Weekend and holiday service patterns are not identical on every route, so checking the train schedule-style bus schedule before leaving is the safest way to avoid a long wait.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Weekend service | 10 bus lines operate: 9 regular routes and 1 rapid route. |
| Holiday service | Sunday schedules operate on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. |
| Routes 1, 2, and 8 | Service notes include all-day weekend operation and weekday periods of 8:00 p.m.–6:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. |
| Route 17 | Listed as operating all days. |
| Rapid 12 and Route 18 | Listed as operating all days. |
| Selected service segments | Service notes include weeknights 9:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m. and all day on weekends. |
Because weekend frequency and opening times can change by route, confirm the specific line and travel day before you ride.
Tickets and Fares
Big Blue Bus fare payment is available with a pre-loaded TAP card, a mobile ticket through the Transit, Token Transit, or TAP app, or exact cash on board. With a TAP card or mobile ticket, the regular one-way ticket price is US$1.25, and it includes one free BBB-to-BBB transfer within two hours.
Cash costs more than contactless payment, so using a card or mobile ticket is usually the better price. Children 5 and under ride free, and Senior, Disabled, and Medicare fares are available for eligible riders.
| Fare type | TAP and mobile ticket | Cash fare |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | US$1.25 | US$1.50 |
| Senior/Disabled/Medicare | US$0.60 | US$0.75 |
Fare changes are scheduled to begin on August 10, 2025, including higher prices for several ticket types and the elimination of the Annual Pass and Youth 30-Day Pass.
Discounts
Discounted fares apply to riders who qualify for reduced rates. Senior fares are available for riders age 62 or older with valid ID, while disabled fare eligibility can be shown with accepted ID such as a valid LACTOA TAP ID Card, Disabled TAP Card, Access Card, Medicare card, or DMV placard.
College students may be eligible for reduced rates, and ACCESS Services users ride free with a valid ACCESS card. BBB accepts Metro’s EZ Transit Pass Zone Zero and the Low Income Fare is Easy 4-Ride Regional Pass when tapped on TAP devices before or at boarding.
Metro, Metrolink, and other agency passes are not accepted as valid fare payment on BBB. For many riders, the simplest fare calculator is the payment method: TAP or mobile ticket gives the lower one-way fare compared with cash.
Multi-Ride Passes
Multi-ride passes can reduce the cost of frequent travel. Passes may be purchased online, in person at Blue: The Transit Store in Santa Monica, or through the Transit, Token Transit, or TAP app on an iPhone or Android smartphone.
| Pass | Regular fare | Senior/Disabled/Medicare fare |
|---|---|---|
| Day Pass | US$4.50 | US$1.75 |
| 7-Day Pass | US$16 | – |
| 10 Rides Pass | US$10 | US$5 |
| 30-Day Pass | US$55 | US$27 |
| EZ Transit Pass Zone Zero | US$110 | US$42 |
The Day Pass covers unlimited BBB rides in one day. The 7-Day Pass and 30-Day Pass cover consecutive periods, while the 10 Rides Pass provides ten rides. Reduced fares require the proper reduced fare or disabled TAP card.
Getting to the Airport by Big Blue Bus
Big Blue Bus provides a practical public transport connection to Los Angeles International Airport from Santa Monica and nearby Westside neighborhoods. Route 3 serves the LAX/Metro Transit Center, making it the key BBB airport route for riders going between Santa Monica, Lincoln Boulevard, Westchester, and LAX.
Before traveling, check the route timetable, opening hours, schedule today, and any service alerts. If you are carrying luggage, leave extra time for boarding, transfers, and walking through the transit center.
You can pay with a TAP card, mobile ticket, or exact cash. When the bus arrives, signal the Operator, let passengers exit first, and confirm the destination sign so you board the correct airport-bound bus.
Passenger Safety and Rules
Big Blue Bus asks riders to help keep buses safe, orderly, and comfortable. Arrive at the stop at least 10 minutes early, stand a safe distance from the curb, and have your fare ready before boarding.
- Check the front and side signs to confirm the route and direction.
- Signal the Operator, wait until the bus stops, and allow others to exit before boarding.
- Tap, insert, or show your fare when you board.
- Move away from the front door, sit if possible, or hold a handrail firmly.
- Reserve front seats for older adults and riders with disabilities.
- Pull the cord about a block before your stop.
- Exit through the rear door after the bus comes to a complete stop.
For safety, do not try to board after the bus pulls away from the curb. If you have a question for the Operator, ask briefly while the bus is stopped. Children should remain seated, and standing passengers must stay behind the yellow safety line.
- Treat Operators, passengers, and BBB property with respect.
- Do not block aisles, doors, movement, or vehicle operation.
- Yield priority seating to older adults and people with disabilities.
- Do not occupy more than one seat or place feet on seats.
- No eating or drinking on board unless items are in covered containers.
- Smoking, vaping, alcohol, illegal drugs, disorderly conduct, graffiti, vandalism, and unauthorized commercial activity are prohibited.
- Weapons are not allowed on BBB vehicles or facilities except as stated for law enforcement personnel.
- Animals must be in a fully enclosed secure carrier, except service animals.
- Carts and strollers may need to be collapsed during crowded conditions or peak hours.
For real-time arrival information, riders can use the Transit app. Arrival times are also available by texting SMBBB and a 4-digit Stop ID to 41411, or by calling 310-451-5444 and following the phone prompts.
Brief History
Big Blue Bus began on April 14, 1928 as Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines. Santa Monica launched the bus line after a fare increase on the Pacific Electric interurban trains between Santa Monica and Los Angeles.
The blue color scheme used on the buses led to the Big Blue Bus nickname, which later became the official name. The agency is one of the oldest public transit bus systems still operating in Los Angeles County, after Culver CityBus, which was founded earlier in 1928.
In 1978, Santa Monica became the first transit operator in California to operate a bus with a wheelchair lift, the Grumman-Flxible Model 870. Big Blue Bus was also one of the last transit agencies to use the GMC New Look fishbowl bus, with the final one retired in 2005.
The agency has received the American Public Transportation Association’s Outstanding Transportation System award multiple times, including 1987, 1992, 1997, 2000, and 2011. In 1999, its name was officially changed to Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus.
Today, Big Blue Bus remains independent while receiving funding from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and providing links to Metro Bus and Metro Rail. Its history makes it a long-standing part of transportation in Santa Monica and the Westside.
Attractions You Can Reach by Big Blue Bus
Big Blue Bus routes reach many of the Westside’s busiest destinations, so it works well for daily trips and casual sightseeing. Depending on the route, riders can reach Downtown Santa Monica station, Santa Monica College, UCLA, Westwood, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Marina del Rey, Culver City, Loyola Marymount University, Westfield Century City, and the LAX/Metro Transit Center.
Several routes also connect with Metro Rail stations, including 17th Street/SMC, 26th Street/Bergamot, Expo/Bundy, Expo/Sepulveda, Palms, Culver City, Westwood/Rancho Park, Wilshire/Western, and Los Angeles Union Station. That makes BBB useful for combining local transport with broader city transport across Los Angeles.
For a simple day out, plan around the route, timetable, fare, and transfer points before leaving. The system map is especially helpful when comparing stations, bus connections, and the best path between Santa Monica, the Westside, and Downtown Los Angeles.